Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson is set to leave her role as Maxine Minniver in the Channel 4 soap after 12 years, it has been reported.
The character first appeared on our screens in 2012, arriving in the Hollyoaks village in search of her sister Mitzeee Minniver.
During her tenure on the show, Maxine has been involved in some huge storylines, including a domestic abuse ordeal, suffering with Munchausen Syndrome and a number of romances with varying levels of success.
In 2014, Maxine gave birth to daughter Minnie, who she shared with Patrick Blake. Initially, Patrick had suspected Maxine of cheating on him, before learning that his vasectomy had reversed and he was actually Minnie’s father.
In more recent years, Maxine was at the heart of a standalone episode that saw her attacked on the way home from a night out, with viewers watching her come to the realisation that what happened hadn’t been her fault.
Now, actress Nikki Sanderson is set to leave Hollyoaks, with her final scenes set to air in May.
The actress reportedly told Hollyoaks’ producers that she wished to depart the show at the end of her current contract.
‘She met with bosses and told them of her plans to leave, she’d just turned 40 and felt the time was right to say goodbye to Maxine.
‘She’s keen to explore other opportunities and is excited to get back out there,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Bosses have been plotting Maxine’s exit storyline for months and have promised it will be a fitting tribute to the character, and viewers can expect a lot of drama before she goes.
‘She will film her final scenes next month, which will go out on-screen in May.’
Metro has reached out to Hollyoaks for comment.
Maxine is one of Hollyoaks’ longest-serving characters, but she isn’t the first soap icon Nikki has brought to life.
Prior to Hollyoaks, Nikki starred in Coronation Street as Sarah Platt’s (Tina O’Brien) best friend Candice Stowe between 1999 and 2005.
In real-life, the actress is in a relationship with former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan.
